Defining 'Energy Sources'

ENERGY SOURCES | Energy types include both the categories we use to group energy sources (like fossil fuels, alternatives, and renewables) and the resources we derive energy from (like oil, solar, and nuclear). Each type of energy has unique characteristics and requires different technologies to convert it from a raw resource to a usable form of energy.

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Defining 'Production & Conversion'

PRODUCTION & CONVERSION | Broadly, this refers to the “energy sector” or the various processes and technologies involved in extracting, processing, transporting, storing, and converting resources into usable forms of energy.

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Defining 'Forms of Energy'

FORMS OF ENERGY | Energy can neither be created nor destroyed; it simply changes form. Forms of energy refer to the states energy has been converted to so that it can be efficiently utilized for its end use, for example electricity or liquid fuels.

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Defining 'Energy Uses'

ENERGY USES | This refers to the end-uses society requires of energy. We don't care about a barrel of oil; we want transportation. We don't care about solar panels; we want electricity to power our lives. We all use energy to fulfill our basic human needs as it enables progress, productivity and quality of life.

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Wind Energy

Wind Energy refers to technology that converts the air’s motion into mechanical energy usually for electricity production.

WIND Energy

Definition

Wind Energy captures the natural wind in our environment and converts the air’s motion into mechanical energy. Wind is caused by differences in atmospheric pressure. Wind speeds vary based on geography, topography and season. As a result, there are some locations better suited for wind energy generation than others. In general, wind speeds are higher near the coast and offshore since there are fewer objects like vegetation, mountains and buildings to slow them down. [1]Origin of winds. (2010). Retrieved from the National Weather Servicehttp://www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream//synoptic/wind.htm Origin of winds. (2010). Retrieved from the National Weather Servicehttp://www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream//synoptic/wind.htm Origin of winds. (2010). Retrieved from the National Weather Servicehttp://www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream//synoptic/wind.htm Origin of winds. (2010). Retrieved from the National Weather Servicehttp://www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream//synoptic/wind.htm [2]NASA Surface Meteorology and Solar Energy. Global Wind Speeds. (2001). Retrieved from http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=1824NASA Surface Meteorology and Solar Energy. Global Wind Speeds. (2001). Retrieved from http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=1824NASA Surface Meteorology and Solar Energy. Global Wind Speeds. (2001). Retrieved from http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=1824NASA Surface Meteorology and Solar Energy. Global Wind Speeds. (2001). Retrieved from http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=1824

The mechanism used to convert air motion into electricity is referred to as a turbine. A turbine is a large structure with several spinning blades. These blades are connected to an electro-magnetic generator that generates electricity when the wind causes the blades to spin.

Context

Traditionally, this energy was used for milling grain and pumping water, but today it is most commonly used to create electricity. Wind energy is becoming an increasingly important part of the global electricity supply mix.[3]The International Panel on Climate Change. (2011). Potential of Renewable Energy Outlined in Report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Retrieved fromhttp://www.ipcc.ch/news_and_events/docs/ipcc33/PRESS%20RELEASE%20Updated%20version%20-%20Potential%20of%20Renewable%20Energy%20Outline.pdf The International Panel on Climate Change. (2011). Potential of Renewable Energy Outlined in Report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Retrieved fromhttp://www.ipcc.ch/news_and_events/docs/ipcc33/PRESS%20RELEASE%20Updated%20version%20-%20Potential%20of%20Renewable%20Energy%20Outline.pdf The International Panel on Climate Change. (2011). Potential of Renewable Energy Outlined in Report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Retrieved fromhttp://www.ipcc.ch/news_and_events/docs/ipcc33/PRESS%20RELEASE%20Updated%20version%20-%20Potential%20of%20Renewable%20Energy%20Outline.pdf The International Panel on Climate Change. (2011). Potential of Renewable Energy Outlined in Report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Retrieved fromhttp://www.ipcc.ch/news_and_events/docs/ipcc33/PRESS%20RELEASE%20Updated%20version%20-%20Potential%20of%20Renewable%20Energy%20Outline.pdf

A major advantage of wind is that it is a clean and renewable form of energy. Its production of electricity has no direct carbon emissions or air pollutants and does not consume water. Wind also has relatively low operations and maintenance costs after initial construction.

However, wind energy also faces several challenges. Wind speeds can vary throughout the day and year, causing intermittency issues for power grids.

The price tag of wind power has traditionally been higher than conventional electricity generation sources, though the wind cost curve has declined significantly in recent years. NIMBY concerns such as land use, noise, and bird disruption have also been raised in certain areas.

References

^Origin of winds. (2010). Retrieved from the National Weather Servicehttp://www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream//synoptic/wind.htm